The holidays are an invitation to reflect on the past while looking toward the future. By blending cherished traditions with new, meaningful experiences, you can create a season full of love, connection, and joy that resonates for generations.
What are your favorite holiday recipes and traditions? We’d love for you to share in the comments.
Here are a few of our staffers favorite Thanksgiving dishes they’d like to share with you:
MacConnell Scalloped Oysters
Shared by Julie Furst, our VP of Marketing, Communications & Events
Ingredients:
6 Tablespoons Butter
1 pint/lb. Oysters (East Coast Select) (Drained and checked for shell fragments)
1/2 Cup Half & Half or Heavy Cream
Salt & Pepper
1 Cup Ritz Cracker Crumbs
1 Cup Saltine Cracker Crumbs
Melt butter, add cracker crumbs and mix well. Butter bottom and sides of your baking dish. Put 1/3 cup of crackers crumbs in bottom of dish, followed by 1/2 of the oysters. Salt and pepper the oysters. Lay down second 1/3 of crumbs and second 1/2 of oysters. Salt and pepper the oysters then pour the cream over the top. Put remaining crumbs on top and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until brown on top.
Notes:
It’s important to use both the Rits and Saltines.
We triple this recipe – it’s THAT delicious.
"This is a tradition in my family. My grandma always made it and served late night after Thanksgiving dinner, or sometimes the night before. We keep the tradition alive."
Whiskey Glazed Sweet Potatoes
Shared by Travis Wattie, our AVP of Government Relations
Ingredients:
3 Lbs. Sweet Potatoes (about 4 large)
1 Cup Pecans
4 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter (plus more for preparing baking dish)
3/4 Cup Agave Syrup (preferably amber)
1/2 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place potatoes on a baking sheet and cook whole, do not pierce. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Lightly squeeze the potatoes – if they are soft, they are done. Let cool. In small saute pan over high heat, add pecans and lightly toast. Add 4 tbsp. butter, reduce heat to medium, add the agave and spices, and allow to simmer for 4 to 5 minutes. Add whiskey and continue to simmer another 5 minutes. Peel the potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch slides. Butter the bottom of a 8×8 baking dish. Arrange the potato and apple slices. Pour pecan whiskey mixture over the top and place in oven. Bake for 30 minutes, basting after 15 minutes with the sauce. Remove from oven and serve immediately.
"Whenever my mother says ‘Is there anything special you want for Thanksgiving?’, the answer is always these incredible sweet potatoes. No special meaning other than they hit the spot and now make a regular appearance on our Thanksgiving table. One tradition we have is for every holiday dinner, we HAVE to have Andes Mints, and, of course, HAVE TO make paper airplanes out of the wrappers. It’s a rule."
Corn Casserole
Shared by Kim Keville, our Digital Marketing & Project Specialist
Ingredients:
2 Cans Whole Kernel Corn (drained)
2 Cans Cream Style Corn
2 Boxes Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
1 Egg
16 Oz. Sour Cream
6 Tbsp. Butter (melted)
Mix everything together. Spray 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Pour mixture in. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Uncover and cook another 30 minutes or until golden brown and not jiggly in the center.
"This is a holiday staple in my family. Not sure where the recipe originated, but I’m asked to make it for every gathering. Definitely my favorite Thanksgiving side dish!"
From the Big I NY family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!!